Will the USC Trojans move into the top 10 of the AP poll after defeating the Wisconsin Badgers? Rankings

The USC Trojans entered Week 5 against the Wisconsin Badgers, who were ranked 13th according to the AP poll. After a stunning comeback win, the Trojans are poised to move up slightly in the latest AP poll.

After the win over the Badgers, USC Trojans coach Lincoln Riley praised his team’s toughness despite the slow start.

“We played a great second half,” Riley said. “We didn’t play Trojan football with turnovers in the first half, which is atypical. But we came together in two games in a row. We have to figure out how to play better in the first half, but we have a resilient group.”

Before the Trojans, No. 6 Ole Miss lost 20-17 at home to unranked Kentucky. With a record of 3-2, the Kentucky Wildcats are unranked, but they almost defeated the No. 2 Georgia Bulldogs in week three.

Speaking of Georgia, they fell to No. 4 Alabama on the road in Tuscaloosa. After an ugly first half from Georgia coach Kirby Smart’s team, the Bulldogs scored 27 points in a second-half comeback. However, Georgia quarterback Carson Beck and the offense couldn’t keep up with Alabama’s offense and lost 34-41.

No. 10 Utah lost 23-10 to unranked Arizona, and the Utes’ first loss this season is expected to drop them at least five spots in the rankings.

The Trojans’ Week 3 opponent, No. 12 Michigan, struggled against Big Ten foe Minnesota. The Golden Gophers converted an onside kick attempt, but it was negated by a questionable offside penalty.

The Wolverines handed USC its only loss of the season so far and should stay ahead of the Trojans in the Week 6 AP Poll. Georgia lost in a close game to a top-five team in Alabama, so with a loss they will most likely be the highest-ranked team ahead of the Michigan Wolverines, who suffered a big loss at home to Texas.

Ole Miss and Utah have the potential for a big decline after losing to unranked conference opponents.

Therefore, the USC Trojans should only expect to move up two spots, from No. 13 to No. 11, when the Week 6 edition of the AP Poll comes out. The lack of upsets across the country doesn’t leave the Trojans much room to move into the top ten.

However, if the Trojans continue to win games, they will remain in the conversation for the College Football Playoff as either Big Ten champions or overall contender.

This article will be updated at 11 a.m. PT when the AP poll is released.